Budget: Four Weeks For Youth Too Long Says CEO

It may be being sold as a ‘fairer’ budget but the Abbott Government 2015 Budget still lands hard for young people, said Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald today.
While the Budget has recognised the rising youth unemployment figures, it still leaves youth out in the cold by maintaining a four-week wait to receive support, and it does little to address housing affordability.

“At the very least we call for an exemption for those young people leaving care who are currently homeless, or coming out of a youth justice facility,” he explained.

“It is both unreasonable and unsafe to expect that a young person not residing at home is still required to wait four weeks for income relief.”

Mr McDonald said young Victorians needed more hope and encouragement not hardship and obstacles from the Federal Government.

“We are further concerned by the lack of movement in the levels of Youth Allowance and the access to affordable modes of housing given that 45 per cent of those who are homeless in Australia are aged under 25.”